As a journalist and human rights activist – Annie Zaman has been working for more than 10 years in Pakistan, Germany and Britain to create awareness about various socio-political issues and gather more voices in support of a progressive and tolerant global society.
After working as a full-time journalist at Pakistan’s Daily Times and Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle, Annie moved on to more adventurous projects with various advocacy groups, raising her voice and words for labour rights, minority rights, and rights of journalists in conflict zones. At the time of the last general election in Pakistan, she launched a virtual newsroom for citizen journalists under the umbrella of PakVotes (PV). PV brought social media platforms together with a network of reporters to track violence during Pakistan’s 2013 elections. She is consulting editor of PakVoices, which has grown into a digital community media project for local transparency in governance in Southern Punjab and Makran Coast. Annie also worked with the Rory Peck Trust as a Programme Officer to support the safety and welfare of freelance newsgatherers from Asia.
She is a regular contributor to Global Voices, co-editor of GV-Urdu, and speaks English, German, Urdu and Punjabi.
She tweets at @natrani.
Latest posts by Qurratulain (Annie) Zaman
27 February 2019
Tensions mount between Pakistan and India after retaliatory manoeuvres by both nations
The current situation represents the biggest escalation of tensions between the two South Asian nuclear-armed rivals in over three decades.
23 January 2019
Biryani Stories: Is Biryani the national dish of Pakistan?
Biriyani might be considered the king of South Asian cuisine, but is it the national dish of Pakistan?
15 October 2018
Pashtun human rights activist detained at Islamabad airport, released after social media pressure
Gulalai Ismail is a well-known Pashtun human rights activist and founder of Seeds of Peace network.
12 September 2018
Pakistan government's pro-minority stance questioned as Ahmadi economist's appointment is revoked
The appointment of Ahmadi Muslim economist Dr. Atif Mian to a government Council sparked a social media smear campaign, and right-wing religious parties threatened nationwide protests.
15 June 2018
Research reveals malicious digital campaign against Pakistani human rights defenders
The Amnesty International report reveals that a network of social media fake accounts are used to infiltrate the activists communities in Pakistan.
15 February 2018
Remembering Pakistan's Empowering Human Rights Activist Asma Jahangir
"Even in her death, she did not conform to the established code. Resistance, thy name is Asma."
4 February 2018
Nina Paley's ‘Seder-Masochism’ Film Explores Patriarchy in the Book of Exodus Through Animated Ancient Idols
"My interpretation of Exodus is that it's the establishment of complete patriarchy, the elimination of any remaining goddess-worship from older times."
31 January 2018
Crowdfunded Rescue Saves French Mountaineer on Pakistan's Nanga Parbat, but Her Climbing Partner Is Left Behind
"The Heroes of Nanga parbat Polish climbers who stopped their K2 climb and saved life on killer mountain in the darkness...You showed the world what a human life means"
29 January 2018
Since 2016, Myanmar Courts Have Convicted 100% of People Charged Under Telecom Law 66 (d)
"Every court has given a prison sentence and none has given a fine."
10 January 2018
After Facing Harassment from Authorities, Pakistani Journalist Narrowly Escapes Abduction
Taha Siddiqui is the bureau chief for WION news. He also is an avid social media user and critic of the military.
9 June 2017
Pakistani Journalist Takes Intelligence Agency to Court Over Harassment
"Many friends have also confided tht seeing me go thru all wht i've had to has made thm self censor even more. Climate of fear persists"
12 January 2017
Digital Activists Are Disappearing in Pakistan
At least six bloggers and digital activists have disappeared thus far in 2017. Despite being a serious human rights issue, the number of people missing in Pakistan is unknown.
22 August 2016
In India, a Nationalistic ‘Witch Hunt’ Targets Journalists Who Exposed #BabyLift Trafficking Operation
According to its constitution, India is a secular republic with freedom of expression, but it also prohibits anything that hurts religious or ethnic sensitivities.
6 August 2016
The Disappearance of Literary and Social Activist Wahid Baloch
"A man who fought to eradicate the menace of forced disappearances became a victim of the very crime."
17 May 2016
Pakistanis Demand Arrests as Threat of Violence Looms Over Christians of Chak 144
"We do not simply want the Police to 'defuse' the incident, we want them to arrest those who are whipping up hatred and plotting sectarian violence."
16 December 2015
The Liberation of Dhaka and the Whitewashing of Pakistan's History
Pakistan's official account of their Armed Forces' surrender in Dhaka 44 years ago ignores the realities of the bloody conflict that resulted in Bangladesh's secession.
26 November 2015
Ahmadi Muslims Once Again Become a Target for Violence in Pakistan
"We bleat about the West callously turning back refugees while we sit in abject silence at continued Ahmadi persecution in Pakistan."
24 November 2015
If You Want to Know What #1in5Muslims Thinks, Don't Ask UK Newspaper The Sun
The British tabloid inspired the hilarious hashtag after twisting the results of an already dubious telephone poll into the Islamaphobic headline: "1 in 5 Brit Muslims' sympathy for jihadis".
21 May 2015
Pakistani Company Accused of Running Fake Degree Scam Has a History of Silencing Critics
Many people tried to expose Axact's degree fraud before, the NYT didn't break this story, but this is the first time everyone is paying attention.
10 April 2015
‘This Is Not Our War': Pakistanis Want Nothing to Do With Saudi Arabia in Yemen
"We are a much informed and politically engaged nation now and we will not let our government fight other's wars."
